Triad Hunter begins safety operations on the Stalder 3UH well

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Hunter, LLC (Triad Hunter), has experienced a loss of control of a well, the Stalder 3UH, located in Monroe County, Ohio. Triad Hunter lost control of this well at approximately 2:00 p.m. EST on December 13, 2014. The previously drilled and completed Stalder 3UH well had been temporarily plugged and abandoned in preparation for the drilling of three additional Utica horizontal wells on the Stalder pad.

However, despite numerous precautionary measures taken in connection with the temporary plugging and abandonment operation, the well began to flow uncontrollably while recommencing production operations. Triad Hunter personnel were removing the well's night cap flange when a pressure disruption occurred. They attempted to bolt back down this equipment but were not able to safely do so prior to natural gas flowback.